Coming out of the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Dodgers have played a solid brand of baseball, seeing an uptick in offense with solid pitching from multiple parts of their roster.
As it stands, the Dodgers are still without a number of arms in their starting rotation, but welcomed back Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw and possibly Bobby Miller in the coming weeks. Those names returning, alongside the contributing rookies who’ve contributed, allowed the team to designate left-hander James Paxton.
On the offensive end, Mookie Betts and Max Muncy continue their respective rehab processes. Their status has impacted the team in run production, also making the Dodgers a team that might look toward trade help to lengthen the lineup even if one, or both, return.
In an appearance on MLB Network’s High Heat, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes discussed the timelines for the team’s stars and how that’ll impact their approach to the trade deadline:
“I think a lot of it is seeing how they’re progressing. Talking with our performance and medical staff, and where they’re at in their progression. And knowing that just because we have guys coming back that are going to get healthy, doesn’t mean other guys can’t (get hurt). So it’s continuing to make sure we have the proper amount of depth but also understanding which guys are coming and what they bring, and if their skillset is different than what we currently have or what is out there, then we kind of evaluate and look to add based on all of those components.”
The Dodgers’ offense still ranks among Major League Baseball’s top units, and in their weekend set against the Boston Red Sox and into their series against the San Francisco Giants, positive steps from platoon players sparked up.
Roster evaluation stretches to a few areas, buffing the postseason roster, while keeping arms fresh down the back-end of the schedule. Gomes not going into too much detail about their plans, maintains they are keeping all options open.
Where should the Dodgers attack the deadline
Several factors have to line up to strike a deal, cost, and need. Looking at the now, the Dodgers need some help at the front of their starting rotation, which aligns with their rumored interest in Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet and Detroit Tigers lefty, Tarik Skubal.
If they can swing Crochet, perhaps they can pony up what it’ll take to get White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who would be a force in the Dodgers’ lineup, remedying a huge need in the outfield mix.
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